Rising AFL talent Mitch Georgiades and his Port Adelaide teammates got off scot-free on Friday after an AFL investigation cleared the players of a potential breach of COVID-19 protocols at the Australian Olympic swimming trials.
Swimming Australia have in place a Covid policy forcing spectators wear a mask while seated unless eating or drinking.
Zak Butters, Mitch Georgiades, Ollie Lord and Dylan Williams were seen in Adelaide on Thursday night enjoying the exciting swimming trials, yet a photo spotted the players not wearing the required masks.
Assisting the AFL in their investigation, the players claimed they had just finished eating and provided the AFL with credit card receipts that included the times they bought the items.
They were also captured taking selfies with fans at the event wearing their masks.
An AFL spokesman said although the players had recently finished eating when they were on TV, they acknowledged they should have put their masks back on more promptly.
“The AFL has asked Port Adelaide to provide further education to all players and officials at the club about following the appropriate guidelines in place for whatever event or establishment they may be visiting in their own time,” he said.
READ MORE: AFL ‘Rising Star’ nominee Mitch Georgiades says he’s found new home at Port Adelaide
The Port Adelaide General Manager of football, Chris Davies, said their masks were placed on their laps at the time.
“Once they had finished eating and drinking they put their masks back on as required,” Davies said.
“The aquatic centre confirmed today they had COVID officials at the event last night and at no point did they request for our players to put their masks back on.
“The players involved voluntarily sent their credit card statements to the AFL today to ensure the timing coincided with when they were captured in that photo.”
Georgiades last month reaffirmed his commitment to Port Adelaide, saying it was the “best thing for me to get out of Perth and experience life elsewhere. Port Adelaide is home for me.”
“All the boys and staff, the whole community, have made me feel welcome and I have loved every minute of it.”
